17{60 ,21-dimethyl-19-nor-{66 {11 {11 {11 -pregnadiene-3,20-dione and process therefor

ABSTRACT

HAVING ANTIGONADO-HYPOPHSIAL, PROGESTOMIMETIC AND PROGESTATIVE ACTIVITY AND ITS PREPARATION.   17 Alpha ,21-DIMETHYL-19-NOR- Delta 4,9-PREGNADIENE-3,20-DIONE OF THE FORMULA

United States Patent Warnant et a].

[ 1 July 25, 1972 17a,21-DIMETHYL-19-NOR-A PREGNADIENE-3,20-DIONE AND PROCESS THEREFOR Julien Warnant, Neuilly Sur-Seine; Andre Farcilli, Rosny-Sous-Bois, both of France Inventors:

US. Cl ..260/397.3, 260/3974, 260/397.5, 424/242 Int. Cl ..C07c 169/34 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1966 Alvarez ..260/397.3

Primary E.\'aminer-Henry A. French Atmrne v--Hammond & Littell [57] ABSTRACT 1701,2l-dimethyl-l9-nor-A" -pregnadiene-3,20-dione of the formula CUT-CH:

having antigonado-hypophsial, progestomimetic and progestative activity and its preparation.

2 Claims, No Drawings l701,21-DIMETHYL-l9-NOR-A4,9-PREGNADIENE-3,20-

DIONE AND PROCESS THEREFOR OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide the novel product, 5 STEP 1 711,21-dimethyl-l9-nor-A'-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel process for the preparation of l7a,2l-dimethyl-l9-nor-A-- pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

It is another object of the invention to provide novel pharmaceutical compositions having antigonado-hypophysial, progestomimetic and progestative activity.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of inducing antigonado-hypophysial, progestomimetic and progestative activity in warm blooded animals.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious from the following description.

THE INVENTION The novel product of the invention is 17a,2l-dimethyl-l9- nor-A""-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and has interesting pharmacological properties, namely anti-gonado-hypophysial activity, progestomimetic activity and progestative activity.

The novel process of the invention for the preparation of 1 7a ,2 l-dimethyl- 1 9-nor-A"--pregnadiene-3,20-dione comprises reacting 3-methoxy-l9-nor-A" ""-pregnatetraene- 20-one with an alkali metal and a methyl halide to simultaneously reduce the 16,17 double bond and methylate which results in the formation of 3-methoxy-l7a-methyl-l9-nor- A" '-pregnatriene-20-one, reducing the latter by the Djerassi method with an alkali metal in the presence of ammonia to form 3-methoxy-l7a-methyl-19-nor-A pregnadiene-ZO-ol, hydrolyzing the latter with a dilute acid to obtain 17a -methyl-l9-nor-A"' -pregnene-20-ol-3-one, xidizing the latter with an oxidizing acid agent to form 17 methyl-19-nor-A -pregnene-3,20-dione and successively brominating with bromine and dehydrobrorninating with pyridine to form l7a-methyl-l9-nOr-N- -pregnadiene-3,20- dione and recovering from the crystallization mother liquors l 701,2l-dimethyl-19-nor-A- -pregnadiene-3, 20-dione.

The novel pharmaceutical compositions of the invention having antigonado-hypophysial, progestomimetic and progestative activity are comprised of an effective amount of 1 7a ,2 l -dimethyll 9-nor-A" -pregnadiene-3,20-dione and a pharmaceutical carrier. The compositions may be in the form of injectable solutions or suspensions in ampoules or multiple dose flacons or in the form of implants, tablets, coated tablets, sublingual tablets, capsules, and suppositories. The usual individual dose of active compound for the adult is 0.1 to 2.5 mg depending upon the method of administration.

The compound of the invention is useful as progestative agent,as inhibiting hypophysis agent with predominance of anti-Ll-l,and as antiestrogenic agent. It may be used alone or in association with an estrogen such as ethynylestradiol, mestranol or 11 B-methoxy-ethynyl estradiol in an estroprogestative formulation with contraceptive action. The compositions of the invention may be used for the treatment of prostatic adenoma,hyperandrogenia,acne,hirsutism and hyperestrogenic manifestations. They can be used in the treatment of sterility, dysmenorrhea and ovarian dystrophy by resting the ovaries by therapeutic blockage of ovulation.

The novel method of the invention for inducing antigonadohypophysiahprogestomimetic and progestative activity in warm-blooded animals comprises administering to warmblooded animals an effective amount of l7a,21-dimethy1-l9- nor-A -pregnadiene-3,20-dione. The said compound may be administered orally, perlingually, transcutaneously or rectally. The usual daily dose is 0.003 to 0.3 mg/ltg depending upon the method of administration.

In the following example, there are described several preferred embodiments to illustrate the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the ,2lembodiments.

EXAMPLE PREPARATION OF 1 70:,2 1 -dimethyll 9-n0r-A" pregnadiene-3,20-dione A: pregnatriene-ZO-one 1.150 g of lithium were added with stirring to 1 liter of ammonia cooled to 70 C under an inert atmosphere, and after stirring for 15 minutes, 1 liter of ether was added while maintaining the temperature at about 75 C followed by the addition of 20 g of 3-methoxy-19-nor-A" -pregnatetraene- 20-one. The reaction mixture was left for 2 hours with stirring at -75 C under an inert atmosphere and then cc of methyl iodide were added to the reaction mixture. After stirring for another 2 hours at -75 C, the ammonia was distilled off and the residue was added to l liter of water. The aqueous phase was extracted with ether and the combined ether phases were washed with water until the wash waters were neutral, were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and distilled to dryness. The 21 g of residue was dissolved in 210 cc of refluxing ethanol and after the addition of 21 cc of acetic acid and 21 g of Girards reagent T, the mixture was refluxed with stirring for 1% hours under an inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and was added to 1,050 cc of water. One hundred and fifty-five cc of 2N sodium hydroxide were added thereto and the mixture was extracted with ether, the combined ether phases were washed with water until the wash waters were neutral, then were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to obtain 16.80 g of raw product. The latter was purified by dissolution in refluxing acetone and crystallization from hot and cold acetone to obtain 3-methoxy-l7amethyl-l9-nor-A" pregnatriene-ZO-one. STEP B: 3-methoxyl 7oz-methyll 9-nor-A -pregnadiene- 20-01 A solution of 20 g of 3-methoxy-l7a-methyl-l9-nor-A" -pregnatriene-20-one in 400 cc of tetrahydrofuran was added to 500 cc of ammonia and then 10 cc of ethanol were added. The interior temperature was lowered to about -35 C and then 2.15 g of lithium were added thereto under an inert atmosphere. After agitating for 15 minutes, 10 cc of ethanol and another 2.15 g of lithium were added thereto. The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and again 30 cc of ethanol and then 2.15 g of lithium were added. After 30 minutes at -35 C, 30 cc of ethanol were added and the ammonia was evaporated with the temperature returning to 20 C. 500 cc of water were added thereto and the mixture was extracted with ether. After the extraction with ether, the aqueous phase was drawn off and the combined ether phases were washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and distilled to dryness to obtain 3-methoxyl 7a-methyll 9-nor-A -pregnadiene-20-ol which was used as is for the next step. STEP C: l 7a-methyl- 1 Q-nor-A-pregnene-20-ol-3-one A solution of 20 g of 3methoxy-l7a-methyl-19-nor-A pregnadiene-20-ol in 35 cc of acetone was stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature and then 300 cc of acetic acid containing 25 percent of water were added thereto. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours and was then added to a mixture of water and ether and stirred for 10 minutes. After extraction with ether the aqueous phase was discarded and the ether phase was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, then with water, was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and distilled to dryness to obtain l7a-methyl-l9-nor- A -pregnene-20-ol-3-one which was used as is for the next step. STEP D: l7a-methyl-l9-nor-A ""-pregnene-3,20-dione Twenty-one cc of a dilute solution containing 5.7 g of chromic anhydride and 4.8 cc of concentrated sulfuric acid were added with agitation and under a nitrogen atmosphere to a solution of 20.5 g of 17a-methyl-19-nor-A -pregnene-20- o1-3-one in 615 cc of acetone cooled to -20 C and the mixture was allowed to stand at -10 C for 1 hour and was then poured in 2 liters of a water-ice mixture. The mixture was ex- 3-methoxy- 1 7a -methyl-l 9-nor-A tracted with benzene and the combined extracts were washed first with water, then a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and then with water. The extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and then were distilled to dryness to obtain 20.40 g of raw product. The latter was purified by chromatography over magnesium silicate, elution with benzene containing 2.5 percent of acetone and crystallization from isopropyl ether to obtain l 7a-methyll 9-nor-A -pregnene-3 ,20-dione. STEP E: 17a,2l-dimethyl-19-nor-A"-pregnadiene-.3,20- dione 16.3 cc of a solution of 29 percent of bromine in methanol were added with agitation under a nitrogen atmosphere to a solution of 8.50 g of l7a-methyl-l9-nor-A-pregnene-3,20- dione in 85 cc of pyridinecooled to C and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 0 C. The temperature was allowed to return to room temperature and the mixture was stirred for 16 hours. The mixture was added to 850 cc of a water-ice mixture and 82 cc of hydrochloric acid were added thereto. The mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the combined extracts were washed with water until the wash waters were neutral, were dried over magnesium sulfate and distilled to dryness to obtain 8.480 g of crude product which is purified by crystallization from isopropyl ether to obtain 5.810 g of 17amethyl-19-nor-A--pregnadiene-3,20-dione melting at 106 C and identical to the product of Belgian patent No. 674,178.

The mother liquors from the purification of the said product were combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was fractionated by chromatography over silica gel (Kieselgel) and elution with a 7-3 mixture of benzene-ethyl acetate. The first fractions were discarded and the ensuing fraction was evaporated to obtain colorless crystals. The product was purified by empasting with five volumes of boiling isopropyl ether and the crystals formed after cooling were recovered by vacuum filtration, were washed twice with two volumes of isopropyl ether and dried in a ventilated atmosphere to obtain 1 7a,2 l-dimethyl-19-nor-A--pregnadiene-3 ,20-dione melting at 152 C and having a specific rotation [a ,,=*-262 (c=0.5 percent in ethanol). The cream-white product was soluble in acetone and benzene and insoluble in water.

RMN Spectrum in accord with proposed structure 2l-methylat 55, 61.5 and 68 Hz 17-methyl-at 66Hz 4-ethylenic proton- 339 Hz 13-methylat 46.5 Hz

As far as is known, this compound is not described in the literature.

PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY A. Progestomimetic Activity.

The progestomimetic activity was determined by the Clauberg test using immature rabbits previously sensitized 5 days earlier by subcutaneously administering long of estradiol benzoate. They are treated with doses of the test compound for 5 days and are killed on the sixth day. Sections of the uterus are examined in MacPhail units for the proliferation of endometric lacework, characteristic of progestomimetic action. The test compound was administered subcutaneously as a solution in olive oil containing 5 percent benzylic alcohol at a dose of 1.56, 3.12, and 6.25 7. The results are reported in Table I.

TABLE 1 Product Doses in MacPhail /day Units 1 701,2 1 -Climethyll 9-nor-A -pregna- 1.56 2.0

3.1 2.6 diene-3,20-dione 6.2 2.7

The results of Table I show that the test compound has a clear progestomimetic activity at a dose of 1.567. Under similar test conditions, 6-chloro- 1 7a-acetoxy-A-'- pregnadiene-3,20-dione at 1.56 7 per day had a MacPhail of 1.0, at a dose of 3.127 an index of 2.4. Therefore the compound of the invention has twice the progestomimetic activity of 6-chloro-17a-acetoxy-A--pregnadiene-3,20-dione when administered subcutaneously. B. Antigonadotrophic Activity The antigonadotrophic activity was determined on puberic rats weighing about 200 g. The compounds were administered subcutaneously as a solution in sesame oil containing 5 percent benzylic alcohol in a volume of 0.2 cc in 12 treatments over 14 days at the daily dose of 0.2 and 1 mg per rat. On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed by carotidienic bleeding and the seminal vesicles, prostate, testicles and surrenals were removed and weighed. The results are reported in Table 11.

TABLE I1 Seminal Testicles Vesicles Prostate Su'rrene- Product Doses in g in mg in mg als in mg Control 0 2.84 529.6 320.2 40.3

l7a,2l-dimethyl- 19- 2007 2.56 272.0 244.0 49.1 nor-A- (-50%) (-24%) pregnadiene- 1 mg 2.64 145.6 172.5 45.5 3,20-dione (-73%) (-46%) The results of Table 11 show that the compound of the invention possesses a clear, predominantly anti-LH antigonadotrophic activity at a dose of 2007 without provoking surrenalienic aplasia. C. Antiestrogenic Activity The antiestrogenic activity was determined on immature mice by a technique inspired by the test of Rubin [Endo., Vol. 49 1951 p.429] and similar to that of Dorfman et a].

' [Methods in Hormone Research, Vol. 11, 1962, p. 118].

Groups of 4 mice 19 to 21 days old received daily subcutaneously for 3 days an injection of estradiol alone, an injection of the test product alone or an injection of estradiol and the test product. In the last case, the two steroids were injected at different points. The animals were killed on the fourth day and the uterus was removed and weighed.

The estradiol in solution in olive oil containing 5 percent benzylic alcohol was administered at a total dose of 0.277, each injection having a volume of 0.1 cc per mouse. The test compound in solution in olive oil containing 5 percent benzylic alcohol was administered to two lots of mice at increasing doses of 1.17, 3.37, and 107 and also 3.3 10 and 30 The results reported below show a clear anti-estrogenic activity.

1. l73 1% of the effect of 0.277 of estradiol 3.3 37% D. Maintaining of Gestation Puberic rats weighing about 250 g were left in contact with male rats and the first day of gestation (J-l) was determined by the presence of spermatozoon in a vaginal smear. On the 8th day (J-8), the female rats were castrated under ether anesthesia and from the eighth to the 19th day, the test product was subcutaneously administered every day in solution in sesame oil containing 5 percent benzylic alcohol at a volume of 0.5 cc. On the 20th day (J-20), the animals were killed and the activity of the product was determined by the number of fetuses in term at J-20 with respect to the number of implantations at J-8 expressed as a percentage. The results are reported in Table 111.

TABLE III Fetuses Rats in per no. Dose gestation Placentas implantations Product in mg 1-8 1-20 1-8 1-20 at 1-8 Controls 0 8 0 9.1

l7a,2l-di- 2 8 8 12.0 12.0 72% methyl-l9-nor- 0.5 8 8 10.6 10.6 74% The results of Table III show that the compound of the invention almost totally maintained gestation in rats at a dose of 0.5 mg.

Various modifications of the compositions and method of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof and it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. 17a, 2 l-dimethyll 9-nor-A--pregnadiene-3,20-dione 2. A process for the preparation of the compound of claim 1 which comprises reacting 3-methoxy-l9-nor-A" pregnatetraene-ZO-one with an alkali metal and a methyl halide to simultaneously reduce the 16,17-double bond and methylate which results in the formation of 3-methoxy-l 7a-' 

2. A process for the preparation of the compound of claim 1 which comprises reacting 3-methoxy-19-nor- Delta 1,3,5(10),16-pregnatetraene-20-one with an alkali metal and a methyl Halide to simultaneously reduce the 16,17-double bond and methylate which results in the formation of 3-methoxy-17 Alpha -methyl-19-nor-Delta 1.3.5(10)-pregnatriene-20-one, reducing the latter by the Djerassi method with an alkali metal in the presence of ammonia to form 3-methoxy-17 Alpha -methyl-19-nor- Delta 2,5(10)-pregnadiene-20-ol, hydrolyzing the latter with a dilute acid to obtain 17 Alpha -methyl-19-nor- Delta 5(10)-pregnene-20-ol-3-one, oxidizing the latter with an oxidizing acid agent to form 17 Alpha -methyl-19-nor- Delta 5(10)-pregnene-3,20-dione and successively brominating with bromine and dehydrobrominating with pyridine to form 17 Alpha -methyl-19-nor- Delta 4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and recovering from the crystallization mother liquors 17 Alpha ,21-dimethyl-19-nor- Delta 4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione. 